Marein Ameliorates Myocardial Fibrosis by Inhibiting HIF-1α and TGF-β1/Smad2/3 Signaling Pathway in Isoproterenol-stimulated Mice and TGF-β1-stimulated Cardiac Fibroblasts

Background: Myocardial fibrosis significantly contributes to the pathogenesis and progression of heart failure. Objective: We probe into the impact of marein, a key bioactive compound in functional food Coreopsis tinctoria, on isoproterenol-stimulated myocardial fibrotic mice and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1)-stimulated cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). Methods: Isoproterenol was administered to the experimental mice via subcutaneous injection, and simultaneous administration of marein (25-100 mg/kg) was performed via oral gavage. CFs were stimulated with TGF-beta 1 to trigger differentiation and collagen synthesis, followed by treatment with marein at concentrations of 5-20 mu M. Results: Treatment with marein in mice and CFs resulted in a significant reduction in the protein expression levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin, collagen type I, and collagen type III. Additionally, marein treatment decreased the protein expression levels of TGF-beta 1, hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha), p-Smad2/3, and Smad2/3. Notably, molecular docking analysis revealed that marein directly targets HIF-1 alpha. Conclusion: Marein might exert a protective function in isoproterenol-stimulated myocardial fibrotic mice and TGF-beta 1-stimulated CFs, which might result from the reduction of TGF-beta 1 induced HIF-1 alpha expression, then inhibiting p-Smad2/3 and Smad2/3 expressions.